Have you ever heard ducks calling by the hundreds in the spring and not been able to locate any? Chances are very good that you are hearing the breeding chorus of the wood frog.

This is a handsome frog whose body coloration varies from tan to reddish dark brown to almost black. The wood frog is most identifiable characteristic is his black "raccoon" (or robbers) mask.

This wood frog breeding chorus (or rapid "quack"), along with the familiar high-pitched whistle of the spring peeper, and the migration of the spotted salamander, signals the beginning of springtime amphibian breeding activity on Cape Ann.

Much of this breeding activity takes place in vernal ponds.

• What is a vernal pond (or pool)?

• Where are vernal ponds found?

• Why are vernal ponds valuable?

• What species can be found on Cape Ann?

• Vernal ponds are an important part of the food chain.

• Are Vernal Ponds A Protected Resource?

• How are Ponds Certified?

 

What is a vernal pond (or pool)?

• Temporary bodies of fresh water
  

• Vernal means spring, and the ponds are full of water for at least two months during the spring.
  

• Vernal ponds generally dry up in the summer months.
  

• Vernal ponds are typically small - rarely exceeding 150' in width, and sometimes measuring only a few feet across.
  

• They are fishless - ponds that dry up cannot support fish populations, a factor which is very important to the unique ecology of vernal ponds.

Where are vernal ponds found?

• Most of the vernal ponds on Cape Ann occur in woodland areas.
  

• They can also be found in meadows, sand flats and river flood plains.

Why are vernal ponds valuable?

• Some species are totally dependent on a vernal pond habitat for one or more stages of their life cycle. They are referred to as Obligate species, or obligated to vernal ponds.
  

• Other species which can be found in vernal ponds, but may not be totally dependent on them are called Facultative species.

What species can be found on Cape Ann?

Obligate species:

• Wood Frog
  

• Spotted Salamander, which is black with bright yellow spots and large (up to 9" long).
  

• Fairy Shrimp, a fascinating, tiny (1" to 1.5" at full growth) back swimming crustacean.

Facultative species:

• Spring Peeper, a tiny frog, 3/4" to 1" in size, is one of the worlds loudest animals for its' size.
  

• Green Frog, up to 3 1/2" in size, who's call sounds like a loose banjo string being plucked.
  

• American Toad, up to 3 1/2" in size, the "hop toad's" voice is a long musical bird-like trill. This pleasant sound is heard later in the spring and most often not identified as the call of the toad.
  

• The Red-Spotted Newt
  

• Caddis Fly Larvae are protected by tubular cases which they construct out of materials from the pond. Adults look somewhat like small brown moths.

Plant Species:

• Button Bush, Bur-reeds, Pond weeds, St. Johns Wort, and many more.

Vernal ponds are an important part of the food chain.

Animals in this region that visit, and some examples of what they eat:

• Turtles - some species feed on egg masses
  

• Snakes - feed on tadpoles and frogs
  

• Ducks - feed on frogs
  

• Great Blue Herons - feed on spotted salamanders
  

• Raccoons - feed on frogs and tadpoles
  

Are Vernal Ponds A Protected Resource?

Since a 1987 ruling, certain vernal ponds in Massachusetts are given strong protection from the State's Wetlands Protection Act. To receive protection they must meet the following requirements:

• Be confined basin depressions.
  

• Hold water for at least two months of the year.
  

• Lack fish populations.
  

• Provide an important wildlife habitat - especially for amphibians.
  

• Must be certified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (certain other requirements may apply).

How are Ponds Certified?

Get specific information and forms from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program.

This includes:

• A field observation form, to be filled out by the person, or persons working on the project.
  

• Locate and identify vernal ponds by:
  

  • Listening for the clucking wood frogs, and spring peepers song. Observing mating activity of wood frogs and salamanders.
    

  • Photograph evidence of vernal pond species i.e.: wood frog egg masses, salamander egg masses, fairy shrimp.
    

  • Photograph the pond full of water.
    

  • Draw a map of the pond and identify important permanent landmarks.
    

  • Provide a written description of how to find the pond via major routes, roads and significant permanent landmarks.
    

  • Get tax and topographical maps from the city or town offices and identify the position of the pond on the maps.
    

  • Get a USGS map and identify the location of the pond on it. Contour lines on these maps make it easy to identify recessed basin impressions.

  • FOR MORE INFORMATION on the certification process MASS CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES - pdf file